Any retrospective of 2009 compels us to “give thanks” for life, love, friendship and be grateful for the prospects of renewal, improvements and new beginnings that will come with the New Year. We have experienced joyful heights in 2009; among them we have seen our first anniversary as a chapter and the selection of the town of Chapelton, Jamaica for our inaugural chapter project.  The lows, however, have also given us pause.  With the unprecedented international economic crisis, we have seen instability and job loss among our colleagues and donations to non-profits such as ours precipitously decrease.  These events are shaping us locally and impacting our efforts internationally.  Such challenges have certainly abounded in 2009.  Equally, we have become more aware as the twelve-month cycle has progressed, of the very real prospect for the realization of hopes and dreams when the will to work in unison and the capacity for personal sacrifice is purposively exercised.  We have continued as a Chapter to see our EWB vision of a world in which all communities have the capacity to meet their basic human need continue to incrementally become more realized. 

Critically, as we continue with our efforts with local projects, and our major commitment to Chapelton Jamaica, I urge each of you to renew your commitments to yourself, your family, our country and our shared EWB vision.  In 2010, together we can look forward, as we serve, to the positive response and continued support that make our efforts meaningful.

As we move forward I would like to thank Kimberly Martin, Luke Patterson, Jennifer Williams and Sarah Everman for their dedication and service of the past 18 months in launching our Nashville Professionals Chapter of EWB.  May we be as productive and futuristic as we continue in their stead.

My best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

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Details for the next chapter meeting are below:

Engineers Without Borders – Nashville (EWB-Nash) is a non-profit humanitarian organization established to partner with developing communities worldwide in order to improve their quality of life.  The EWB-Nash Chapter started in April 2008 so there will be be a lot of changes as the Chapter develops.